Ternary intercalation compound of a graphite with a metal fluoride and fluorine, a process for producing the same, and an electrically conductive material comprising the ternary intercalation compound

Abstract

A novel ternary intercalation compound of a graphite with a metal fluoride and fluorine, which is represented by the formula CxF(MFz)y wherein M is Al or Mg and z is an integer corresponding to the valence of M, is produced by contacting a graphite material with a metal fluoride selected from AlF3 and MgF2 in an atmosphere of fluorine gas at a temperature of 0 DEG C. to 400 DEG C. for at least a period of time to effect a weight increase in the graphite. The ternary graphite intercalation compound thus obtained has not only an excellent stability to humidity or moisture but also a high electrical conductivity. The novel ternary graphite intercalation compound according to the present invention may be practically used as a novel electrically conductive material and a catalyst of organic reactions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A ternary intercalation compound of a graphite with a metal fluoride and fluorine produced by the reaction between a graphite, a metal fluoride and fluorine and which is represented by the formula C x  F(MF z ) y , wherein M is Al or Mg; z is an integer corresponding to the valence of M; and the relative values of x and y are determined by the time and temperature of said reaction between the graphite, the metal fluoride and fluorine and the crystallinity and c-axial thickness of the graphite. 
     
     
       2. A ternary intercalation compound according to claim 1, wherein x is about 3.0 to 50 and y is about 0.0001 to 0.20. 
     
     
       3. A ternary intercalation compound according to claim 1, wherein said ternary intercalation compound of a graphite with a metal fluoride and fluorine is a mixture of stage compounds consisting essentially of at least two different stage compounds selected from the group consisting of a 1st stage compound, a 2nd stage compound, a 3rd stage compound and a 4th stage compound. 
     
     
       4. A process for producing a ternary intercalation compound of a graphite with a metal fluoride and fluorine, which comprises contacting a graphite material with a metal fluoride selected from AlF 3  and MgF 2  in an atmosphere of fluorine gas at a temperature of 0° C. to 400° C. for at least a period of time to effect a weight increase in the graphite, whereby there is obtained a ternary intercalation compound represented by the formula C x  F(MF z ) y , wherein M is Al or Mg; z is an integer corresponding to the valence of M; and the relative values of x and y are determined by the time and temperature of said reaction between the graphite, the metal fluoride and fluorine and the crystallinity and c-axial thickness of the graphite. 
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 4, wherein x is about 3.0 to 50 and y is about 0.0001 to 0.20. 
     
     
       6. A process according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the graphite material and the metal fluoride are employed in a weight ratio of 1:0.4 to 1:10. 
     
     
       7. A process according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the metal fluoride is AlF 3  and the temperature is 15° to 370° C. 
     
     
       8. A process according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the metal fluoride is MgF 2  and the temperature is 15° to 350° C. 
     
     
       9. A process according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the atmosphere of fluorine gas has a fluorine pressure of 0.5 to 10 atm. 
     
     
       10. An electrically conductive material which comprises a ternary intercalation compound of a graphite with a metal fluoride and fluorine produced by the reaction between a graphite, a metal fluoride and fluorine and represented by the formula C x  F(MF z ) y , wherein M is Al or Mg; z is an integer corresponding to the valence of M; and the relative values of x and y are determined by the time and temperature of said reaction between the graphite, the metal fluoride and fluorine and the crystallinity and c-axial thickness of the graphite. 
     
     
       11. An electrically conductive material according to claim 10, wherein x is about 3.0 to 50 and y is about 0.0001 to 0.20.